Filing-cabinet with locking-compartments



M. R. H ITCH IIII FIL'ING CABkNET WITH LOCKING CdmPA TTTTTTT APPLICATION FILED JUNE 1 7 I 9 I 9- EEEEEEEEEEEEEE E I ,MH if PM if M.'R.' HUTCHI SON. I mums CABINET WITH LOCKING COMPARTMENTS.

' A?PLICAT|0N FILED JUNE 17, I919- I 1,351,423. Patented Augn31, 1920. 4 ssssssssss ET 2.

. M- RIHUTCHISON. FlLlNZG CABINET WITH LOCKING COMPARTMENTS.

Patented Au 31,1920,

4- SHEETSSHEET 3 II HI APPLICATION FILED-JUNE I7, 1919.

9X 4 1 5. i 3 1 W 4 m 1 m m M. R. HUTCHISON. FILING CABINET WITH LOCKING COMPARTMENTS.

APPLICATION H1 50 JUNF 17, 1919. Patented Aug. 31 1920. I 4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

MILLER REESE HUTCHISON', 01* WEST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, As IeNoRro MILL R REESE HUTCHISON, INC., A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

FiLINGecA BINET WITH LOCKING-COMPARTMENTSJ To all 'whomz't may concern. y I

Be it known that I, MILLER R ES HUTQH- ISON, a citizen of the United States, and resident of .Vest Orange, in the 1 county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Filing Cabinets with Locking- Compartments,' of which the specification. I

This invention relates to filing racks, fixtures or furniture and with regardto its more specific features, to filingcabinets for phonograph records] 1 i V One of'the obje'cts'of the inventionis to provide a device of the above type of compact and simplified construction, which shall be substantially proof against incorrect replacement of articles removed therefrom.

rrnother object is to provide the character referred to, whichshall effectively and with the requirementof' small effort on the part of the custodian, bring about the resultof maintaining the articles when not in use, in thelr appointed-places at all times.

Other objects will be inpart obvious and Figure 1, is a View in longitudinal section taken along the line 1-1 of Fig. hand showing a cradle frame and its associatedrecor d locked in place. i Fig. 2, is a view similar to Fig.1, showing the position of the parts when the record is freeto be removed...

Fig. 3, is a fragmentary front .view. ofthe cabinet with part of the shutter broken away. I

Fig. at, is a fragmentary front view of my cabinet.

Fig. 5, is a fragmentarylcross sectional Fig. "6, -is a sectional View with parts following is a 'the drawings. g 1 This invention is an improvement upon proken away, taken along'the line 6'6 of ig.7. Fig. 7, is a fragmentary frontview with parts brokenaway, 'of the lower portion of my cabinet, showing the lower edge of the Shutterfandthe keyhole. 1 Fig. 8,:is a perspectiveview showing the relation of my key and my coupling rod, Fig. 9, is a fragmentary sectional-[view taken along'the line 9-9 of Fig. 6.

Similar reference charactersrefer to sin ilar parts throughout the severalyiews of that of my copending applicationlSerial No. 301,520, filed June 3rd, 1919.

R ferring now to e i g one of which is shown at' lfitting into a corresponding groove 53 in the base. i r

The base has an upwardly {extending flange 54, and the topadownwardly extending flange 55, at the front, said flanges being connected at their jendsjby vertical slats 56, thetwoflanges and the slats tocorner bracing-member 11 on the exterior.

of the, cabinet; An internal bracingmember 57 is also preferablyprovidcd ateach of the four vertical edges. i

lVith'n the cabinet. are pr0vided,-referring more particularlyto Figs. 3- and 5, ,a plurality of equally spaced vertical partitions 5 each preferably fitting into corresponding grooves 6, in the "base, and? in the top, at their lower and upper edges respectively, forming a plurality of compartments ,0, one between each two adjacent partitions 5, eachifor lodging a phonograph record. The rear edges of thepartitions ,preferably fit into grooves 9 in an inner rear tpartition 8.

As above stated, I preferably provide 'a singleshutter 1Ov for closingthe front of the entire cabinet. This shutter is preferably of a flexible type similar to that employed for roll tops of desks, and briefly stated v I have" shown a filing cabinet provided witha base 1,.a top 2, aback wall 3, and lateral walls,

' Specification of Letters Patent; Patented Aug; 31, 1920;

.Application filed crime 17.1919. Serial mama. H I

12, connected each to the adjacent slat by a narrow metallic staple element 13, extending the length of the slats into corresponding grooves 14 in the rear thereof. The detailed construction of the shutter member is substantially immaterial, as its construction taken by itself and apart from its use, is part of the prior art and not my invention.

The shutter member is preferably formed in a continuous loop and passes over four rollers located substantially at the four vertical edges of the cabinet, two of said rollers being shown at 15 and 16. The shutter thus has a portion adjacent and parallel to each of the four vertical faces of the cabinet, the

front portion closing the opening the tend adjacent staples 13 of the regular shutter construction above described, thus forming the shutter and port plate into a continuous loop. I

To render possible the ready shifting of the shutter so as to place the slot 19 into registry with any of the compartments C, as desired, I preferably secure a loop handle 21 to the plate 18, as shown. I also preferably provide rigid with the plate 18, a metallic indicator pointer 22 for facilitating the finding of the compartment and record desired, by effectingregistry with a corresponding numeral or other indication on the base flange 54.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. land 2 in which I have shown an individual record compartment C, it being understood that the description with respect to Figs. 1 and 2' applies to all of the compartments alike, I have shown a disk phonograph record 23 resting upon a substantially crescent shaped cradle frame 24 having an integral ear 58, said frame being pivoted about a rod 25 extending through said ear. Rod 25 extends preferably the width of the cabinet for performing the same function with respect to all of the cradle frames. The cradle frame is preferably provided with a stop member in the form of atoe 25 having preferably a flat edge 26 in contact with the shutter-10. when the frame is in home or re-- tracted position. When the frame is in the position shown in Fig. 1, toe 25 prevents removal of the record, even if the shutter be out of the way.

A latch support 27 is preferably pivoted about a rod 28, said rod extending the width notch in each cradle frame. A leaf spring 32 preferably urges the latch bar toward cooperation with the notches 31. Although I may provide a support 27 in each comp'artment for the common latch bar 29, it is of course obvious that this is not essential, and substantially any lesser number may be em- 7 plo ed.

ivoted on the cradle frame 24, as at 33, I

provide a counterlock member 34 having preferably a curved portion extending along a part of the crescent shaped cradle as at 34 and fitting into a corresponding depression 36 therein, to limit the width of the assembly' of cradle and counterlock. The counterlock member is urged in a counter clockwise direction about pivot 33 by means of a leaf spring 35 contacting it at one end and secured at the other to the cradle frame. A stationary stop member 59 is provided, having a shoulder 37 for cooperation with the innermost edge 38 of the counterlock member under certain conditions described more fully below.

By my construction thus far described, each record is locked within its compartment by means of the cradle frame and the shutter member is free to be moved to regis ter its slot 19 with any record compartment.

In order to release any record, the latch bar 29 should be depressed. For this purpose, I preferably provide key operated means at the center of the base member. This means is best shown in Figs. 6 and 9, and comprises a link 39 connected to the. latch bar preferably by means of an eye 40 and extending downwardly into an opening 41 in the base. The link preferably has a shoulder 42 adapted to cooperate with a bit 43 on a coupling rod 44, preferably lodged within a cylindrical opening 45 extending from the front toward the back of the base member. The coupling link has a head 46' provided with a transverse slot 47 for L0- operation with the end bit 48.0f a key 49, adapted to be insertedinto a keyhole 59 near the center of the base of the cabinet. The

key also has a lateral bit 51 for a purpose appearing more fully in the operation below. Adjacent the head 46 is provided a metallic inner keyhole plate 61, having akeyhole 65.

The lower edge of the shutter is preferably serrated as at 52, so that the shutter cannot be shifted when the key is in its slot as is clear from Fig. 7

Below the keyhole I preferably provide a cavity in the base, lodging a small drawer 62, having preferably-a handle 63, and three compartments 64, one for the key 49, one for usedand one for unused needles.

'In use, the custodian or operator grasps the handle 21 on the shutter and thereby shifts the latter until the indicator pointer 22 is opposite the indication corresponding to the record he wishes to withdraw. When this position is reached,'the port 19 will register. with the compartment containing the desired; record. -To remove the record, the key 49 is inserted into keyhole .50, bit 51 entering the slot portion of the keyhole, thus alining bit 48 forentry into slot 47 in the coupling rod 44. .When thekey reaches the position shown in Fig. 6, it is-turned, whereby bit 43 on the coupling rod moves link 39 downwardly by reason of its engagement with shoulder 42, and the link thereupon withdraws the latch bar 29 against the resistance of spring 32 from the notches 31, thus unlocking all of the cradle frames as in Fig. 2. The compartments that are closed by the shutter are inaccessible and the corresponding cradle frames by reason of the contact between their edges 26 and the shutter 10 are not displaced.

.As regards the compartment with which the shutter port registers, the release of the latch bar causes the cradle frame to pivot about rod 25 by reason of the movement of the record and the forward portion of said cradle, until the position shown in Fig. 2,,

is, reached. in this position, it is noted that the record 23 projects through the'slot 19- as does the toe25 of the cradle frame which now no lon er blocks egress of the record. The record can, then be readily removed by hand. When a record relatively smaller than that shown in the drawings is filed in the cabinet, this record will roll down the inclined beam to the toe 25 upon release of the latch bar. Immediately'thereafter, spring 35 moves the counterlock memher 8% in a counter clockwise direction to bring edge 38 thereof into contact with shoulder 37 on the stop member 59 and to move part 34: upwardly into a space vacated by the removed record. The shutter.

as is obvious cannot now be shifted until toe 25, which extends through the port is retracted. The. counterlock member, however, prevents such retraction until the record or a similarly shaped article is inserted into the compartment to withdraw said member to the position shown in Fig. 2.

It is thus seen that if a record is withdrawn, the shutter cannot conveniently be moved to permit access to any other compartment until the record is re-inserted in place and the cradle frame restored to the home position shown in Fig. 1..

Itis further apparent that by reason of the serrations 52, the shutter member cannot be shifted until the key is withdrawn from the keyhole. The key however referring to F igs. 2 and 6, cannot be withdrawn until the record is inserted to release the counterlock, thus permitting spring 32 to return the latch bar 29 to locking position, the latter step causing'rotation of the cou-' moval of such record preventing the shifting of the shutter for access to any other record until the first record is restored and locked in placeand the key withdrawn from the keyhole.

My invention thus at small effort on the part of the custodian or operator, effectively prevents confusion of the records and minimizes the likelihood of breakage or-scoring. V a

Although this invention, as in thecase of the co-pending application above r'e-f ferred'to, has special utility and its prefer able application when applied to cabinets for disk phonograph records, it is: understood that it may be applied to numerous other purposes. In general, it is usefulin any relation where it is desirable to deliver articles one at a time and compel the return of each to its appointed place before another is accessible. 1

It is apparent that I might arrange my compartments horizontally and arrange the shutter to be raised and lowered for registering the port with the desired compartment, but it is to be understood that I prefer to employ the specific arrangements shown and described.

It will thus be seen that there is'herein described apparatus in which the several features of this invention are embodied and which apparatus in its action attains the various objects of the invention and is well suited to meet the requirements of practical use.

As many changes could be made in the above construction and many apparently widely different embodiments of thi inven tion could'be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. y

Having thus described my invention,

. what Iclaim as new and desire'to secure Lby Letters'Patent is 1; In a filing cabinet forv phonograph records, in combination, a plurality of compartments each-adapted to have a record locked therein, means for simultaneously unlocking a plurality of said records, and means for permitting removal of but one of said unlocked records,

2. In a filin cabinet for )hono ra h rec- I ords, in combination, a plurality of com partments' each adapted'to have a record locked therein means for simultaneousl V unlocking all said records, and means for permitting accessv to any one selected com partment for record removal, WllllG malntaining the remaining compartments inaccessible. V

3.-In a filing cabinet for phonograph the remainder thereof, a plurality of cradleframes, one -in each compartment, each said frame being locked to prevent removal of its associated record, and means for simultaneously releasing all said locks, whereby only the record in the selected compartment can be removed.

5. In a filing cabinet for phonograph records, in combination, a plurality of compartments, means for opening any one se lected compartment while maintaining the others closed, a plurality of cradle frames, one in each compartment, each said frame being urged to eject its associated record, locking means for retaining each record in place, and means for simultaneously releasing each said locking means, whereby the record in the selected compartment will be ejected, and the other records will remain inaccessible.

6. In a filingcabinet for phonograph records, in combination, a plurality of compartments, a member across the delivery side of all said compartments, and having means adjustable to allow access to any one selected compartment while maintaining the remaining compartments closed, means for looking a record into each compartment, and means for simultaneously releasing all said records whereby only the record cor responding to the position of' the adjustable means can be removed.

r 7. In a filing cabinet for phonograph records, in combination, a plurality of compartments, a shutter member across the de livery side of all said compartments, said member having a port adjustable in posi- 8. In a filing cabinet for phonograph rec ords, in combination, a plurality of compartments, an adjustable band member eX tending across the delivery opening of all said compartments, and having a port adapted to be placed into registry with any of said compartments, means for locking a record into each compartment, and'means to prevent further adjustment of said band member, whenthe record in the partment. is unlocked. I

9. In a filing cabinet for phonograph records, in combination, a-plurality of compartments each for retaining a record, an adj ust- V able flexible shutter adapted to close all said compartments, and having a port adapted to be placed into registry with any thereof to permit access thereto, and means automatically projecting from said cabinet into said port, to prevent shifting of said shutter,

when the record in the open compartment is free to be removed.

10. In a filing cabinet for phonograph records, in combination, a plurality of compartments, an adjustable flexible shutter adapted to close all said compartments, and

having a port adapted to be placed into' registry with any thereof to uncover it, a plurality of cradle frames one in each compartment, each adapted to lodge a record, each said frame having an integral stop member, adapted to project into said port, when the corresponding record is free to be removed.

11. In a filing cabinet for phonograph records, in combination, a plurality of compartments each adapted to retain a record, an adjustable flexible shutter adapted to close all said compartments, and having a port adapted to be placed into registry with any thereofto uncover it, means for locking each record into its compartment, and a stop member responsive to unlocking of the record alined with said port, to automatically project into said port for preventing further adjustment of said shutter.

12. In a filing cabinet for phonograph records, in combination, a plurality of compartments, an adjustable shutter adapted to close all said compartments, and having a port adapted to be placed into registrywith any thereof to uncover it, a plurality of cradle frames, one pivoted into each compartment, each adapted to lodge a record and each urged forwardly, means locking each said frame against said forward tendency to dispose a part thereof in the path for removal of the associated record, each frame having an integral stop member adopen com of stop members one interposed between each for latching all said frames into record and said shutter, and means for simultaneously unlocking all said records.

14. In a filing cabinet for phonograph records, in combination, a plurality of compartments, a plurality of cradle frames, one in each compartment, each cradle frame being adapted to lodge a record, latching means for all said frames, means preventing removal of said records when said frames are latched, and a single means for simultaneously releasing all said latching means.

15. In a filing cabinet for phonograph records, in combination, a plurality of compartments, a plurality of cradle frames one pivoted in each compartment, each for seating a record, means for latching each said frame to block egress of the associated record, and a single key operated means, for simultaneously unlatching all said frames.

16. In a filing cabinet for phonograph records, in combination, a plurality of cradle frames, each for retaining a record, a latch bar extending transversely of said cabinet a position to prevent removal of the records, and a key operated means for releasing said latch bar. 17 In a filing cabinet for phonograph records, in combination, a plurality of compartments, a plurality of cradle frames one pivoted in each compartment, each for seating a record, a latch bar extending transversely .of said cabinet, a pivot rod therefor, also transverse of said cabinet, said bar being urged for latching cooperation with a notch in each of said frames, and key operated means for releasing said latch bar to permit removal of a record.

18. In a filing cabinet for phonograph records, in combination, a plurality of compartments, each for containing a record, latching means for preventing egress of said records, including a pivoted latch bar extending transversely of said cabinet, a link secured thereto and extending downwardly therefrom, a coupling rod connected to said link and extending toward the front of said cabinet, said rod having means for cooperation with a key, adapted to be inserted into a slot in the front of said cabinet.

19. In a filing. cabinet for phonograph records, in combination,a pluralityof comf partments, a shutter member acrosslthe de-. livery side of all said compartments, said member having a port adjustable in pos1- tion, for registery withjany said compartr ment, a latch bar for looking a recordinto each compartment, and a "key opera-ted means for releasing said latch bar to unlook all said records.

20. In a filing cabinet for phonograph records, in combination, a plurality of'compartments, a member across the delivery side of all said compartments, and having a port adjustable to allow access to any one selected compartment, while maintaining the remaining compartments closed, a cradle frame in each compartment, means for latching all said frames to block removal of the records, key operated means for unlatching all said records, and means responsive to unlocking of the record alined with said port, to prevent shifting of said first member.

21. In a filing cabinet for phonograph records, in combination, a plurality of compartments, a shutter member across the delivery side of all said compartments, said member having a port adjustable in position for registry with any said compartment, a cradle frame in each compartment, means for latching all said frames to block removal of the records, a stop member adapted automatically to project into said port to prevent shifting of said shutter, while said record alined with said port is removed and means to prevent retraction of said stop member, until said record is re-.

member having a port adjustable in position, for registry with any said compartment, a cradle frame in each compartment, means for latching all said frames to block removal of the records, key operated means for unlatching all said frames, thereby permitting removal of the record alined with said port, a stop member adapted] automatically to project into said port to prevent shifting of said shutter while said record is removed, and means to prevent withdrawal of the key until said record is restored.

23. In a filing cabinet for phonograph records, in combination, a plurality of compartments each for shutter member across the delivery side of all said compartments, said member having a port adjustable in position, for registry with any said compartment, latching means for retaining the records therein, a key for releasing said latching means, and serrations on said shutter member one of which embraces the shank of said key, to prevent retaining a record, a

shifting of said shutter When the key is in the keyhole. V

24. In a filing rack, in combination, a cradle frame pivoted therein, and adapted to lodge a record, an integral stop member for said frame, and means for latching said frame to cause said stop member to block egress of said record, said frame being urged to move said step memberautomatically out of the path of said record When 10 said frame is released.

Signed at N eW York city, in the county of New York, and State of N eW York this fourteenth day of June; A. D. 1919.

MILLER REESE HUTOHISON. 

